Qin Nan let out a smile as he was lost in his thoughts.
Initially when he had just met Princess Miao Miao, he really wanted to murder her, but through their times together, he realized that apart from having a high ego, a deep passion for pills and robbing others, and being absurd at times, she was quite protective of her companions, at least in his case.
âGreat, weâll deal with her together, and teach her a lesson!â
Qin Nan transmitted his voice to her.
Princess Miao Miao appeared to be relieved as she patted her chest and said nothing further.
At that instant, a shocking explosion could be heard, as the surface of the ocean rapidly rose. A large island encapsulated in a yellow glowing barrier emerged from the water, resulting in huge waves that shook the Heavens and Earth.
The island covered an area with a circumference of over two hundred li, filled with ancient towering trees and abundant Qi, resulting in a mystical appearance. The silhouettes of three tall and rugged stone statues could be faintly seen in the middle of the island.
âMove out!â
The old blue-haired man and the envoy of the Feiyang Sacred Area roared at the same time.
The two Martial Dominator Realm experts cooperated with one another. As they flung their sleeves, the disciples were encapsulated within a forceful aura, before they were flung into the air.
Qin Nan took a step in mid-air and entered deep into the island.
After seeing the disciples of the two Sacred Areas entering the Mystical Ground, the City Lord uttered a yell, âFellow cultivators, remember, there are only twenty four spots left! If you try to enter the island without acquiring a spot, you will be slain by its forbidding aura!â
The entire square was immediately immersed in an uproar, as over hundreds of Martial Emperor Realm cultivators executed their powerful abilities and soared into the sky heading straight at the Mystical Ground.
In their eyes, the opportunity to rank up to the Martial Ancestor Realm was exceedingly rare. Although they would need to compete with the geniuses of the two Sacred Areas, it was definitely worth a try!
Xiao Feipeng led the crowd, followed tightly by Zhao Fang and Princess Miao Miao as their figures vanished into the island.
In a blink of an eye, all twenty four spots were taken.
Among the crowd, an aged peak Martial Emperor Realm cultivator was unwilling to give up and tried to enter the island with brute force. He was instantly crushed into pieces by the forbidding aura of the island, causing countless people around him to be terrified.
âThis time, our Feiyang Sacred Area will surely come first!â
The envoy of the Feiyang Sacred Area vaguely glanced at the old blue-haired man, and spoke in a prideful tone.
The old blue-haired man let out a hollow laugh without replying.
â¦â¦
â¦â¦
Shoosh!
Qin Nanâs figure descended from the sky.
The moment he entered the island, he could sense a force twisting the space, causing him to be separated from Liang Kai and the others, thus they did not end up landing at the same place.
Qin Nan touched his waist, and discovered that there was an extra triangular badge inside the pocket that had appeared out of nowhere. However, instead of inspecting the badge, he immediately unleashed his Divine Sense. He calmed his thoughts after confirming that no one was present within seven li of him.
âLiang Kai, have you guys encountered any enemies?â
Qin Nan swiftly took out the Sound-Conducting Badge.
âNegative!â
âIâm on my own!â
âSenior Brother Qin Nan, where are you?â
ââ¦â¦â
His companions immediately responded.
âKeep in touch, and report at once if thereâs any issue!â
Qin Nan did not spend too much time communicating with them, as he then contacted Princess Miao Miao with another Sound-Conducting Badge. She managed to regroup with Qin Nan since she had ended up landing somewhere nearby.
âPhew, I thought I was going to suffocate.â
Princess Miao Miao let out a sigh of relief as she transformed back to her adorable appearance after her body emitted a glow.
âPrincess, are you able to locate Jiang Bilan and the others?â
Qin Nan asked.
âNope!â Princess Miao Miao shook her head and said, âIâve restricted my cultivation to the Martial Emperor Realm with a certain secret technique. Therefore, I canât scan the surroundings in a ruthless mannerâ¦â
âThat wonât be a problem. Letâs work together to hunt Jiang Bilan down!â
Qin Nanâs eyes flickered coldly.
Since the island only covered an area with a circumference of over two hundred li and his outstanding Divine Sense was able to scan a distance of seven li, it would not be long before they found where Jiang Bilan was.
Qin Nan would not show any mercy to Jiang Bilan now.
âWait!â
Princess Miao Miaoâs expression shuddered as she took out a Sound-Conducting Badge and said, âThis is from Jiang Bilan, she is sending a message!â
Qin Nanâs eyes glistened.
As Princess Miao Miao waved her hand over the badge, it immediately transmitted Jiang Bilanâs pleasant voice, âFellow cultivators, as you know, only three participants will be able to acquire the benefits of the Martial Ancestor Mystical Ground. Forgive me for being straightforward, but with the peerless genius Qin Nan, myself, Xiao Feipeng, Jiao Shiyi, Jiao Zhe, and the rest of the geniuses of the two Sacred Areas here, it would be quite difficult for you to compete for the three winning spots.
âDonât be angry yet, the reason Iâm saying this is because I would like to cooperate with you.
âIn what way? To be honest, there is some conflict between myself and the peerless genius Qin Nan. I am aiming for something that he owns, and if you are willing to lend me a hand, Iâll give each of you three Emperor Weapons as a reward. While helping me, if you are aware of any danger, feel free to forfeit the mission, and you will still be rewarded. If you have any doubt regarding my trustworthiness, I believe my title of the Saintess of the Trading Alliance is quite self-explanatory.
âI hope that everyone is willing to assist me; letâs defeat the peerless genius of the lower district, and crush the legend!
âIâm now at the center of the island. Iâll be waiting for you there!â
The words were incredibly provoking, as the rewards mentioned were quite attractive too.
Princess Miao Miao cast a side glance at Qin Nan and said in a seemingly mocking tone, âThree Emperor Weapons each, thatâs a pretty impressive deal.â
âHow nice of Jiang Bilan, I knew it!â
Qin Nan took a deep breath and said, âLetâs go, weâll head straight to the center of the island!â
The two hesitated no further as they flew toward the center of the island.
It took them less than the period it took for an incense to burn to reach their destination.
The center of the island was different than other places on the island. It was a dojo built with some sort of Mystical Jade, covering an area with a circumference of two li. It appeared to be quite aged, as if it had been built a very long time ago.
At the center of the dojo stood three statues that were five-zhang tall.
The three statues appeared to be the same man, who was standing with his hands placed behind his back. He was wearing a long robe, and his hair was long enough to reach his waist. The statues were all staring up into the sky from three different directions.
For some reason, although these statues were mere objects, it was as if they were actually alive.
âThisâ¦â
Qin Nanâs figure shuddered violently.
When he glanced at the three stone statues with his left eye of the Divine God of Battle, he could faintly detect a force concealed deep within them. The aura seemed to be incredibly faint, but the force was extremely powerful, beating vigorously like a heart.
âCould it be⦠these things are alive?â
A sudden thought came to Qin Nanâs mind.
At that instant, Qin Nan suddenly recalled the words of the City Lord. This island appeared over a hundred years ago, and a terrifying rumor was spread around since thenâif the seal of the island were to be broken, it would result in a great calamity.
Did that mean that these three statues that were capable of assisting one to rank up to the Martial Ancestor Realm were related to the calamity that was being sealed off on this island?
He hasnât died yet, and he is still alive?
Qin Nan instinctively peeked deep into the island, but it appeared that the secrets it held exceeded his capabilities, preventing him from inspecting it.
âScrew it! Now is not the time to be concerned with this. I shall deal with Jiang Bilan first!â
Qin Nan soon collected his thoughts, and sprang into the sky with Princess Miao Miao while looking downward.
At the middle of the dojo stood Jiao Shiyi, Jiao Zhe, and Xiao Feipeng, and on the other side was Jiang Bilan.
Jiang Bilanâs attractive figure stood at her spot and glanced upward at Qin Nan, before she smilingly said, âMy friend Qin Nan, youâve finally arrived.â